US20080316527A1 - Printing control apparatus to control printing operation, printing control system, and methods thereof - Google Patents
Printing control apparatus to control printing operation, printing control system, and methods thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080316527A1 US20080316527A1 US12/046,510 US4651008A US2008316527A1 US 20080316527 A1 US20080316527 A1 US 20080316527A1 US 4651008 A US4651008 A US 4651008A US 2008316527 A1 US2008316527 A1 US 2008316527A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- printing
- environmental information
- information
- web server
- control signal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 334
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 24
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 167
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000013500 data storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007641 inkjet printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
- G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
- G03G15/5075—Remote control machines, e.g. by a host
- G03G15/5087—Remote control machines, e.g. by a host for receiving image data
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
- G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
- G06K15/18—Conditioning data for presenting it to the physical printing elements
- G06K15/1801—Input data handling means
- G06K15/1803—Receiving particular commands
- G06K15/1806—Receiving job control commands
- G06K15/1809—Receiving job control commands relating to the printing process
Definitions
- the present general inventive concept relates to a printing control apparatus to control a printing operation, a printing control system and a method thereof. More particularly, the present general inventive concept relates to a printing control apparatus which controls a printing operation according to environmental information on an area where a printing apparatus is located, a printing control system and a method thereof.
- a printing apparatus such as a printer and a photocopier, is connected with a printing control apparatus and prints printing data transmitted from the printing control apparatus on printing paper.
- a developer is transferred onto the printing paper to form an image corresponding to the printing data in a developing operation.
- the printing paper has a polarity opposite to that of the developer so that the developer is transferred onto the printing paper when the printing paper passes through a transferring unit.
- the degree to which the developer is transferred onto the printing paper depends on environmental conditions of the printing apparatus such as a temperature. For example, if the temperature is substantially low, for example, in the winter or in the morning, the developer is not properly transferred, and thus there occurs an uneven image or blurring effect in the image. Also, if the temperature is substantially high, for example, in the summer or at noon, the high temperature causes a part of the developer to harden, and thus a white dot is generated in the printed image. In other words, the developer is not properly transferred onto the printing paper due to the environmental conditions, which results in the deterioration in the printing quality.
- One solution to address this problem is to use various sensors that are provided in the printing apparatus to sense the environmental conditions and adjust a transfer voltage accordingly.
- the present general inventive concept provides a printing control apparatus capable of obtaining environmental information on an area where a printing apparatus is located without requiring an additional sensor, and of controlling a printing operation according to the environmental information, thereby improving the printing quality, a printing control system and a method thereof.
- a printing control apparatus including a web server connection unit to connect with a web server of a pre-set address and receive environmental information of an area where the printing apparatus is located, and a controller to transmit a printing control signal corresponding to the received environmental information and printing data to the printing apparatus.
- the web server connection unit may connect with the web-server in at least one of cases where a printing signal is received, where a booting is performed, where a printer driver is executed, and where a pre-set time arrives.
- the printing control signal may be a transfer voltage control signal of the printing apparatus.
- the controller may compare the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information, and if the received environmental information is within an error range of the pre-set environmental information, the controller may transmit a pre-set transfer voltage control signal to the printing apparatus as the transfer voltage control signal.
- the controller may compare the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information, and if the received environmental information is not within an error range of the pre-set information, the controller may adjust a pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmit the adjusted transfer voltage control signal to the printing apparatus as the transfer voltage control signal.
- the printing control apparatus may further include a user interface to set a web server address and area information, and a storage unit to store the set web server address and the area information.
- the environmental information may be one of temperature information, humidity information, pressure information, and altitude information.
- the foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a method for controlling a printing operation of a printing control apparatus which connects with a web server and also connects with a printing apparatus, the method including receiving environmental information of an area where the printing apparatus is located by connecting with a web server of a pre-set address, and controlling a printing operation by transmitting a printing control signal corresponding to the received environmental information and printing data to the printing apparatus.
- Receiving environmental information may comprise connecting with the web server in at least one of cases where a printing control signal is received, where a booting is performed, where a printer driver is executed, and where a pre-set time arrives.
- the printing control signal may be a transfer voltage control signal of the printing apparatus.
- the controlling of the printing operation may include comparing the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information, and if the received environmental information is within an error range of the pre-set environmental information, transmitting a pre-set transfer voltage control signal to the printing apparatus the transfer voltage control signal.
- the controlling of the printing operation may include comparing the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information, and if the received environmental information is not within an error range of the pre-set environmental information, adjusting a pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmitting the adjusted the transfer voltage control signal to the printing apparatus as the transfer voltage control signal.
- the receiving of the environmental information may including setting a web server address and area information, and storing the set web server address and the area information.
- the environmental information may be one of temperature information, humidity information, pressure information and altitude information.
- a printing control system including a web server, a printing apparatus to perform a printing operation, and a printing control apparatus to receive environmental information about an area where the printing apparatus is located by connecting with a pre-set web server, and to control a printing operation by transmitting a printing control signal corresponding to the received environmental information and printing data to the printing apparatus.
- a method of a printing control system including receiving environmental information about an area where the printing apparatus is located by connecting with the web server, and controlling a printing operation of a printing apparatus by transmitting a printing control signal corresponding to the received environmental information and printing data to the printing apparatus.
- a printing control system including a printing control apparatus having a controller to select an web server address and area information, to connect with a web server according to the web server address section, to receive environmental information on the area information, and to output printing data and a control signal corresponding the environmental information, and a printing apparatus to receive the printing data and the control signal corresponding to environmental information, and to perform a printing operation to form an image on a printing medium according to the printing data and the control signal
- FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a printing control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a printing control apparatus usable with a printing control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the printing control apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a printing operation of a printing control apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the method of FIG. 4 in detail
- FIGS. 6A and 6B are a view illustrating a printing control system according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept.
- FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a window generated in a printing control system to select a web-server address and area information according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept.
- FIG. 1 is view illustrating a printing control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.
- the printing control system includes a printing control apparatus 100 , a web server 200 , and an image forming apparatus, such as a printing apparatus 300 .
- the printing control apparatus 100 has a plurality of functions, such as functions of generating data using an application, storing data, and retrieving data, and also has a function of controlling a printing operation of the printing apparatus 300 .
- the data may be printing data to be printed in the printing apparatus 300 of the printing control system.
- the web server 200 is connected with the printing control apparatus 100 through the Internet.
- the printing apparatus 300 prints printing data transmitted from the printing control apparatus 100 on printing paper.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a printing control apparatus usable with a printing control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.
- the printing control apparatus 100 includes a web server connection unit 110 and a controller 120 .
- the web server connection unit 110 connects with the web server 200 through the Internet.
- the web server connection unit 110 uses a uniform resource locator (URL) to connect with the web server 200 through a wired or wireless connection.
- the web server 200 may be a preset web server.
- the web server connection unit 110 or the controller 120 may have a preset address corresponding to the web server 200 to connect the controller 120 to the web server 200 .
- the controller 120 connects the web server 200 through the web server connection unit 110 and requests environmental information on an area where the printing apparatus 300 is located.
- the controller 120 compares the received environmental information with reference environmental information. More specifically, the environmental information may be one of temperature information, humidity information, pressure information and altitude information. The temperature, humidity, pressure, and altitude are parameters that may affect printing quality during the printing operation of the printing apparatus 300 . Therefore, it is necessary to obtain the environmental information through the web server 200 and control the printing operation of the printing apparatus 300 according to the environmental information.
- the reference environmental information may be preset environmental information stored in the controller 120 or in a memory connected to the controller 120 .
- the preset environmental information may be selected from a list of one or more sets of environmental information.
- the environmental information may be information representing a characteristic of the printing operation of the printing apparatus 300 .
- the environmental information may be a variable factor to be supplied to and used in a printing mechanism or circuit of the printing apparatus 300 to form an image on a printing medium.
- the variable factor may affect the performance or quality of an image formed by the printing mechanism or circuit of the printing apparatus 300 .
- the controller 120 generates a printing control signal based on the result of comparison of the environmental information obtained through the web server 200 and the pre-set environmental information.
- the printing control signal is a transfer voltage control signal to control a transfer voltage of a printing unit (e.g., printing mechanism or circuit) of the printing apparatus 300 .
- the controller 120 transmits the printing control signal and the printing data to the printing apparatus 300 , and controls such that the printing data is printed according to the printing control signal. Accordingly, the printing control apparatus 100 more easily obtains the information about the area where the printing apparatus 300 is located, without requiring an extra sensor to sense the environmental information. Also, the transfer voltage of the printing apparatus 300 is controlled in consideration of the environmental condition of the area where the printing apparatus 300 is located.
- the printing control apparatus 100 of the printing control system of FIG. 1 is a computer, and the printing apparatus 300 is a printer.
- the printing control apparatus 100 may be a mobile phone or PDA which is able to connect with a web server and has a function of controlling the printing apparatus 300
- the printing apparatus 300 may be a photocopier, a facsimile, or a multi-function peripheral which have a printing function.
- the printing control apparatus 100 and the printing apparatus 300 are connected with each other through a local interface as illustrated in FIG. 3 , a plurality of printing control apparatuses and a plurality of printing apparatuses are connected with one another through a network interface.
- the printing control apparatus 100 obtains the environmental information through the web server 200 and controls the printing operation of the printing apparatus 300 according to the environmental information.
- the printing apparatus 300 it is possible for the printing apparatus 300 to directly obtain the environmental information through the web server 200 . More specifically, if the printing apparatus 300 receives a printing signal, the printing apparatus 300 directly connects the web server 200 and obtains the environmental information. According to the environmental information, the printing apparatus 300 adjusts a transfer voltage and performs the printing operation.
- the printing apparatus 300 may include an interface 360 , a controller 270 , and a printing unit 380 .
- the interface 360 may be connected to a printing control apparatus 100 and a web server 200 to receive printing data B and environmental information A, respectively, so that the controller 370 can control the printing unit 380 to print an image corresponding to the printing data B according to the received environmental information A.
- the interface 360 may connected to the printing control apparatus 100 to receive the printing data B and the environmental information A.
- the printing control apparatus 100 may generate a signal A 1 generated according to the received environmental information A and a reference, and output the signal A 1 together with the printing data B, so that the controller 370 can control the printing unit 380 to print an image according to the printing data B and the signal A 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the printing control apparatus of FIG. 2 .
- the printing control apparatus 100 comprises the web server connection unit 110 , a user interface 130 , a storage unit 140 , a conversion unit 150 , an interface 160 , and the controller 120 .
- the web-server connection unit 110 connects the web server through the Internet.
- the user interface 130 sets a web server address and area information. More specifically, the user interface 130 provides a user interface window containing a setup area, and a user inputs a web server address and information on the area where the printing apparatus 300 is located through the user interface 130 .
- a uniform resource locator (URL) corresponding to a homepage of a weather center or of an area office may be set as the web server address.
- the web server address of the manufacturer may be set.
- the area information may be national or local information. The user can set the national or local information in a text format or a code format.
- the web server address and the area information are set by the user when the area of the printing apparatus 300 is changed. Also, the web server address and the area information are not necessarily set by the user, and the default is set in a driver at the time of manufacturing the printing apparatus 300 in consideration of the area where the printing apparatus 300 is to be located (for example, exporting country).
- the controller 120 controls the user interface 130 to generate a window 700 including a web server address section 710 and an area information section 720 to be displayed on a screen of a display device which can be connected to the controller 120 .
- a web server address can be input through the web server address section 710 or can be selected from a list of one or more addresses included in the web server address section 710 .
- Area information where the printing apparatus 300 is located or operated can be input through the area information section 720 or can be selected from a list of one or more area information included in the area information section 720 . It is possible that the web server address can be automatically selected according to the area information when the web server addresses correspond to the respective area information. Accordingly, the printing control apparatus 100 is connected to the web server 100 according to the web server address and receives environmental information from the web server 100 according to the area information.
- the storage unit 140 stores the web server address and the area information set though the user interface 130 .
- the conversion unit 150 Upon the receipt of a printing signal about data, the conversion unit 150 converts the printing signal into printing data suitable for being processed by the printing apparatus 300 .
- the interface 160 communicates with the printing apparatus 300 to transmit the printing data and signals relating to the printing operation to the printing apparatus 300 .
- the controller 120 controls the entire operation of the printing control apparatus 100 . More specifically, if the printing signal about data is received, the controller 120 reads out the web server address and the area information from the storage unit 140 . After that, the controller 120 controls the web server connection unit 110 to connect the web server address, to provide the area information to the web server, and to request environmental information corresponding to the area information. If the environmental information is received through the web server by the above-described process, the controller 120 compares the received environmental information with the pre-set environmental information.
- the controller 120 determines whether the received environmental information is within an error range of the pre-set environmental information or not. If the received environmental information is determined to be within the error range of the pre-set environmental information, the controller 120 transmits a pre-set printing control signal, that is, a pre-set transfer voltage control signal, to the printing apparatus 300 .
- a pre-set printing control signal that is, a pre-set transfer voltage control signal
- the controller 120 adjusts the transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to the printing apparatus 300 . More specifically, if the received environmental information is less than a minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range, the controller 120 increases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to the printing apparatus 300 . If the received environmental information is larger than a maximum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range, the controller 120 decreases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to the printing apparatus 300 .
- the environmental information may be one of temperature information, pressure information, and altitude information.
- the controller 120 decreases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to the printing apparatus 300 . If the received environmental information is larger than a maximum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range, the controller 120 increases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to the printing apparatus 300 .
- the environmental information may be humidity information.
- a control signal of the printing control apparatus 100 is the pre-set transfer voltage control signal or the adjusted transfer voltage control signal to control a printing operation (an image forming operation, an image developing operation, or image transferring operation) of a printing unit of the electro-photographic image forming apparatus.
- the control signal of the printing control apparatus 100 is a signal to control a printing operation or a maintenance operation of an inkjet printing unit of the electro-photographic image forming apparatus.
- the controller 120 obtains the environmental information through the web server 200 in real time whenever receiving the printing signal, and adjusts the transfer voltage control signal according to the environmental information.
- the transfer voltage is a factor supplied to or used in the printing unit of the printing apparatus 300 to form an image on a printing medium.
- the controller 120 may connect with the pre-set web server 200 and obtain the environmental information at the time that the power of the printing control apparatus 100 is turned on. In this case, the controller 120 obtains time environmental information on the corresponding date and stores it to the storage unit 140 . After that, if the printing signal is received, the controller 120 checks time information through an operating system (OS), then reads out the environmental information corresponding to the checked time, and adjusts the transfer voltage control signal according to the read environmental information. Also, the controller may connect with the pre-set web server 200 and obtain the environmental information at the time that the printer driver initializes its operation, or periodically (for example, per 2 hours). That is, the controller 120 connects with the web server and obtains the environmental information in at least one of cases where the printing signal is received, where the booting is performed, where the printer driver is executed, and where the pre-set time arrives.
- OS operating system
- the controller 120 controls the interface 160 to allow the printing data converted by the conversion unit 150 to be transmitted to the printing apparatus 300 along with the transfer voltage control signal.
- the printing apparatus 300 receives the transfer voltage control signal and the printing data from the printing control apparatus 100 , it adjusts a transfer voltage according to the transfer voltage control signal and prints the printing data. Accordingly, the printing apparatus 300 can flexibly adjust the transfer voltage according to the environmental information without requiring an extra sensor.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a printing operation of a printing control apparatus of a printing system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.
- the printing control apparatus 100 receives a printing signal about data at operation S 410 , the printing control apparatus 100 connects with the pre-set web server 200 and requests environmental information at operation S 420 .
- the printing control apparatus 100 compares the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information at operation S 440 .
- the printing control apparatus 100 transmits a printing control signal based on the result of comparison to the printing apparatus 300 at operation S 450 .
- the printing control signal may be a transfer voltage control signal to control a transfer voltage of the printing apparatus 300 .
- the printing apparatus 300 controls the transfer voltage according to the transfer voltage control signal transmitted from the printing control apparatus 100 , thereby improving the printing quality.
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a printing operation of a printing control apparatus of a printing system.
- the printing control apparatus 100 receives a printing signal about data at operation S 510 , the printing control apparatus 100 connects with the web server 200 , provides area information and requests environmental information at operation S 520 .
- the web server address and the area information are previously set and stored by a manufacturer or user.
- the printing control apparatus 100 receives the environmental information corresponding to the area information from the web server at operation S 530 .
- the printing control apparatus 100 compares the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information at operation S 540 . For example, if the received environmental information is about temperature, the received environmental information is compared with pre-set temperature information.
- the printing control apparatus 100 determines if the received environmental information is within an error range of the pre-set environmental information. If the received environmental information is within an error range of the pre-set environmental information at operation S 550 (Y), the printing control apparatus 100 transmits a pre-set transfer voltage control signal to the printing apparatus 300 at operation S 560 . If the received environmental information is within the error range of the pre-set environmental information, it does not significantly affect the printing quality and thus the pre-set transfer voltage control signal is transmitted to the printing apparatus 300 .
- the printing control apparatus 100 determines if the received environmental information is less than a minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range at operation S 570 . If the received environmental information is less than a minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range at operation S 570 (Y), the printing control apparatus 100 increases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to the printing apparatus 300 at operation S 580 .
- the environmental information may be temperature, pressure or altitude which is a parameter that affect the printing quality when it changes.
- the printing control apparatus 100 determines that the received environmental information is less than the minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range. In this case, the low temperature causes a developer not to be transferred onto the printing paper properly and thus it is necessary to increase a transfer voltage to be applied to a transferring unit. Accordingly, the printing control apparatus 100 increases a level of the transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to the printing apparatus 300 .
- the printing control apparatus 100 decreases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to the printing apparatus 300 at operation S 590 .
- the pre-set temperature information and the error range can be varied according to environmental characteristics of the area where the printing apparatus 300 is located. Also, although the temperature information is used in the above by way of example, the same operation will be applied in the case of pressure and altitude.
- the operations S 580 and S 590 are changed. That is, if the received environmental information is less than the minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range at operation S 570 (Y), the printing control apparatus 100 decreases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to the printing apparatus 300 . If the received environmental information is larger than the maximum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range at operation S 570 (N), the printing control apparatus 100 increases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to the printing apparatus 300 .
- the present general inventive concept can also be embodied as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable medium.
- the computer-readable medium can include a computer-readable recording medium and a computer-readable transmission medium.
- the computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data as a program which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices.
- the computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.
- the computer-readable transmission medium can transmit carrier waves or signals (e.g., wired or wireless data transmission through the Internet). Also, functional programs, codes, and code segments to accomplish the present general inventive concept can be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the present general inventive concept pertains.
- the printing control apparatus 100 more easily obtains the environmental information of the printing apparatus 300 , and flexibly controls the transfer voltage according to the environmental information.
- the transfer voltage control signal of the printing apparatus 300 is adjusted according to the environmental information of the area where the printing apparatus 300 is located, so that the effect of the environment on the printing quality can be minimized and thus the printing quality can be improved.
- the environmental information is obtainable by connecting with the pre-set web server 200 , there is no need for an extra sensor, and thus, a low price printing apparatus can be realized.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
- Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
- Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (a) from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-61746, filed on Jun. 22, 2007, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present general inventive concept relates to a printing control apparatus to control a printing operation, a printing control system and a method thereof. More particularly, the present general inventive concept relates to a printing control apparatus which controls a printing operation according to environmental information on an area where a printing apparatus is located, a printing control system and a method thereof.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- In general, a printing apparatus, such as a printer and a photocopier, is connected with a printing control apparatus and prints printing data transmitted from the printing control apparatus on printing paper. A developer is transferred onto the printing paper to form an image corresponding to the printing data in a developing operation. More specifically, during the developing operation, the printing paper has a polarity opposite to that of the developer so that the developer is transferred onto the printing paper when the printing paper passes through a transferring unit.
- The degree to which the developer is transferred onto the printing paper depends on environmental conditions of the printing apparatus such as a temperature. For example, if the temperature is substantially low, for example, in the winter or in the morning, the developer is not properly transferred, and thus there occurs an uneven image or blurring effect in the image. Also, if the temperature is substantially high, for example, in the summer or at noon, the high temperature causes a part of the developer to harden, and thus a white dot is generated in the printed image. In other words, the developer is not properly transferred onto the printing paper due to the environmental conditions, which results in the deterioration in the printing quality. One solution to address this problem is to use various sensors that are provided in the printing apparatus to sense the environmental conditions and adjust a transfer voltage accordingly. However, this solution increases a manufacturing cost due to the addition of the sensor, and makes it difficult to realize a compact and low price printing apparatus. Therefore, a solution is demanded to more easily obtain information about the environmental conditions of the area where the printing apparatus is located, and to flexibly control the transfer voltage.
- The present general inventive concept provides a printing control apparatus capable of obtaining environmental information on an area where a printing apparatus is located without requiring an additional sensor, and of controlling a printing operation according to the environmental information, thereby improving the printing quality, a printing control system and a method thereof.
- Additional aspects and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept.
- The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a printing control apparatus, including a web server connection unit to connect with a web server of a pre-set address and receive environmental information of an area where the printing apparatus is located, and a controller to transmit a printing control signal corresponding to the received environmental information and printing data to the printing apparatus.
- The web server connection unit may connect with the web-server in at least one of cases where a printing signal is received, where a booting is performed, where a printer driver is executed, and where a pre-set time arrives.
- The printing control signal may be a transfer voltage control signal of the printing apparatus.
- The controller may compare the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information, and if the received environmental information is within an error range of the pre-set environmental information, the controller may transmit a pre-set transfer voltage control signal to the printing apparatus as the transfer voltage control signal.
- The controller may compare the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information, and if the received environmental information is not within an error range of the pre-set information, the controller may adjust a pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmit the adjusted transfer voltage control signal to the printing apparatus as the transfer voltage control signal.
- The printing control apparatus may further include a user interface to set a web server address and area information, and a storage unit to store the set web server address and the area information.
- The environmental information may be one of temperature information, humidity information, pressure information, and altitude information.
- The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a method for controlling a printing operation of a printing control apparatus which connects with a web server and also connects with a printing apparatus, the method including receiving environmental information of an area where the printing apparatus is located by connecting with a web server of a pre-set address, and controlling a printing operation by transmitting a printing control signal corresponding to the received environmental information and printing data to the printing apparatus.
- Receiving environmental information may comprise connecting with the web server in at least one of cases where a printing control signal is received, where a booting is performed, where a printer driver is executed, and where a pre-set time arrives.
- The printing control signal may be a transfer voltage control signal of the printing apparatus.
- The controlling of the printing operation may include comparing the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information, and if the received environmental information is within an error range of the pre-set environmental information, transmitting a pre-set transfer voltage control signal to the printing apparatus the transfer voltage control signal.
- The controlling of the printing operation may include comparing the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information, and if the received environmental information is not within an error range of the pre-set environmental information, adjusting a pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmitting the adjusted the transfer voltage control signal to the printing apparatus as the transfer voltage control signal.
- The receiving of the environmental information may including setting a web server address and area information, and storing the set web server address and the area information.
- The environmental information may be one of temperature information, humidity information, pressure information and altitude information.
- The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a printing control system, including a web server, a printing apparatus to perform a printing operation, and a printing control apparatus to receive environmental information about an area where the printing apparatus is located by connecting with a pre-set web server, and to control a printing operation by transmitting a printing control signal corresponding to the received environmental information and printing data to the printing apparatus.
- The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a method of a printing control system, the method including receiving environmental information about an area where the printing apparatus is located by connecting with the web server, and controlling a printing operation of a printing apparatus by transmitting a printing control signal corresponding to the received environmental information and printing data to the printing apparatus.
- The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a printing control system including a printing control apparatus having a controller to select an web server address and area information, to connect with a web server according to the web server address section, to receive environmental information on the area information, and to output printing data and a control signal corresponding the environmental information, and a printing apparatus to receive the printing data and the control signal corresponding to environmental information, and to perform a printing operation to form an image on a printing medium according to the printing data and the control signal
- These and/or other aspects and utilities of the present general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
-
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a printing control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a printing control apparatus usable with a printing control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the printing control apparatus ofFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a printing operation of a printing control apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the method ofFIG. 4 in detail; -
FIGS. 6A and 6B are a view illustrating a printing control system according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and -
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a window generated in a printing control system to select a web-server address and area information according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept. - Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like units throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures.
-
FIG. 1 is view illustrating a printing control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referring toFIG. 1 , the printing control system includes aprinting control apparatus 100, aweb server 200, and an image forming apparatus, such as aprinting apparatus 300. - The
printing control apparatus 100 has a plurality of functions, such as functions of generating data using an application, storing data, and retrieving data, and also has a function of controlling a printing operation of theprinting apparatus 300. The data may be printing data to be printed in theprinting apparatus 300 of the printing control system. - The
web server 200 is connected with theprinting control apparatus 100 through the Internet. Theprinting apparatus 300 prints printing data transmitted from theprinting control apparatus 100 on printing paper. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a printing control apparatus usable with a printing control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2 , theprinting control apparatus 100 includes a webserver connection unit 110 and acontroller 120. - The web
server connection unit 110 connects with theweb server 200 through the Internet. The webserver connection unit 110 uses a uniform resource locator (URL) to connect with theweb server 200 through a wired or wireless connection. Theweb server 200 may be a preset web server. The webserver connection unit 110 or thecontroller 120 may have a preset address corresponding to theweb server 200 to connect thecontroller 120 to theweb server 200. - If a printing signal of data generated using an application is received, the
controller 120 connects theweb server 200 through the webserver connection unit 110 and requests environmental information on an area where theprinting apparatus 300 is located. Upon the receipt of the environmental information through theweb server 200, thecontroller 120 compares the received environmental information with reference environmental information. More specifically, the environmental information may be one of temperature information, humidity information, pressure information and altitude information. The temperature, humidity, pressure, and altitude are parameters that may affect printing quality during the printing operation of theprinting apparatus 300. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain the environmental information through theweb server 200 and control the printing operation of theprinting apparatus 300 according to the environmental information. - The reference environmental information may be preset environmental information stored in the
controller 120 or in a memory connected to thecontroller 120. The preset environmental information may be selected from a list of one or more sets of environmental information. The environmental information may be information representing a characteristic of the printing operation of theprinting apparatus 300. The environmental information may be a variable factor to be supplied to and used in a printing mechanism or circuit of theprinting apparatus 300 to form an image on a printing medium. The variable factor may affect the performance or quality of an image formed by the printing mechanism or circuit of theprinting apparatus 300. - The
controller 120 generates a printing control signal based on the result of comparison of the environmental information obtained through theweb server 200 and the pre-set environmental information. The printing control signal is a transfer voltage control signal to control a transfer voltage of a printing unit (e.g., printing mechanism or circuit) of theprinting apparatus 300. Thecontroller 120 transmits the printing control signal and the printing data to theprinting apparatus 300, and controls such that the printing data is printed according to the printing control signal. Accordingly, theprinting control apparatus 100 more easily obtains the information about the area where theprinting apparatus 300 is located, without requiring an extra sensor to sense the environmental information. Also, the transfer voltage of theprinting apparatus 300 is controlled in consideration of the environmental condition of the area where theprinting apparatus 300 is located. - Byway of example, the
printing control apparatus 100 of the printing control system ofFIG. 1 is a computer, and theprinting apparatus 300 is a printer. However, other apparatuses known in the art may be adopted. For example, theprinting control apparatus 100 may be a mobile phone or PDA which is able to connect with a web server and has a function of controlling theprinting apparatus 300, and theprinting apparatus 300 may be a photocopier, a facsimile, or a multi-function peripheral which have a printing function. Although theprinting control apparatus 100 and theprinting apparatus 300 are connected with each other through a local interface as illustrated inFIG. 3 , a plurality of printing control apparatuses and a plurality of printing apparatuses are connected with one another through a network interface. - In this embodiment, the
printing control apparatus 100 obtains the environmental information through theweb server 200 and controls the printing operation of theprinting apparatus 300 according to the environmental information. However, it is possible for theprinting apparatus 300 to directly obtain the environmental information through theweb server 200. More specifically, if theprinting apparatus 300 receives a printing signal, theprinting apparatus 300 directly connects theweb server 200 and obtains the environmental information. According to the environmental information, theprinting apparatus 300 adjusts a transfer voltage and performs the printing operation. - As illustrated in
FIG. 6A , theprinting apparatus 300 may include aninterface 360, a controller 270, and aprinting unit 380. Theinterface 360 may be connected to aprinting control apparatus 100 and aweb server 200 to receive printing data B and environmental information A, respectively, so that thecontroller 370 can control theprinting unit 380 to print an image corresponding to the printing data B according to the received environmental information A. As illustrated inFIG. 6B , theinterface 360 may connected to theprinting control apparatus 100 to receive the printing data B and the environmental information A. It is possible that when theprinting control apparatus 100 receives the environmental information B from theweb server 200, theprinting control apparatus 100 may generate a signal A1 generated according to the received environmental information A and a reference, and output the signal A1 together with the printing data B, so that thecontroller 370 can control theprinting unit 380 to print an image according to the printing data B and the signal A1. -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the printing control apparatus ofFIG. 2 . Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3 , theprinting control apparatus 100 comprises the webserver connection unit 110, auser interface 130, astorage unit 140, aconversion unit 150, aninterface 160, and thecontroller 120. - The web-
server connection unit 110 connects the web server through the Internet. - The
user interface 130 sets a web server address and area information. More specifically, theuser interface 130 provides a user interface window containing a setup area, and a user inputs a web server address and information on the area where theprinting apparatus 300 is located through theuser interface 130. A uniform resource locator (URL) corresponding to a homepage of a weather center or of an area office may be set as the web server address. Also, if the homepage of the manufacturer of theprinting apparatus 300 provides the environmental information, the web server address of the manufacturer may be set. The area information may be national or local information. The user can set the national or local information in a text format or a code format. The web server address and the area information are set by the user when the area of theprinting apparatus 300 is changed. Also, the web server address and the area information are not necessarily set by the user, and the default is set in a driver at the time of manufacturing theprinting apparatus 300 in consideration of the area where theprinting apparatus 300 is to be located (for example, exporting country). - As illustrated in
FIG. 7 , thecontroller 120 controls theuser interface 130 to generate awindow 700 including a webserver address section 710 and anarea information section 720 to be displayed on a screen of a display device which can be connected to thecontroller 120. A web server address can be input through the webserver address section 710 or can be selected from a list of one or more addresses included in the webserver address section 710. Area information where theprinting apparatus 300 is located or operated can be input through thearea information section 720 or can be selected from a list of one or more area information included in thearea information section 720. It is possible that the web server address can be automatically selected according to the area information when the web server addresses correspond to the respective area information. Accordingly, theprinting control apparatus 100 is connected to theweb server 100 according to the web server address and receives environmental information from theweb server 100 according to the area information. - The
storage unit 140 stores the web server address and the area information set though theuser interface 130. - Upon the receipt of a printing signal about data, the
conversion unit 150 converts the printing signal into printing data suitable for being processed by theprinting apparatus 300. - The
interface 160 communicates with theprinting apparatus 300 to transmit the printing data and signals relating to the printing operation to theprinting apparatus 300. - The
controller 120 controls the entire operation of theprinting control apparatus 100. More specifically, if the printing signal about data is received, thecontroller 120 reads out the web server address and the area information from thestorage unit 140. After that, thecontroller 120 controls the webserver connection unit 110 to connect the web server address, to provide the area information to the web server, and to request environmental information corresponding to the area information. If the environmental information is received through the web server by the above-described process, thecontroller 120 compares the received environmental information with the pre-set environmental information. - More specifically, the
controller 120 determines whether the received environmental information is within an error range of the pre-set environmental information or not. If the received environmental information is determined to be within the error range of the pre-set environmental information, thecontroller 120 transmits a pre-set printing control signal, that is, a pre-set transfer voltage control signal, to theprinting apparatus 300. - If the received environmental information is not determined to be within the error range of the pre-set environmental information, the
controller 120 adjusts the transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300. More specifically, if the received environmental information is less than a minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range, thecontroller 120 increases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300. If the received environmental information is larger than a maximum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range, thecontroller 120 decreases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300. In this case, the environmental information may be one of temperature information, pressure information, and altitude information. - Also, if the received environmental information is less than a minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range, the
controller 120 decreases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300. If the received environmental information is larger than a maximum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range, thecontroller 120 increases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300. In this case, the environmental information may be humidity information. - When the
printing apparatus 300 is an electro-photographic image forming apparatus, a control signal of theprinting control apparatus 100 is the pre-set transfer voltage control signal or the adjusted transfer voltage control signal to control a printing operation (an image forming operation, an image developing operation, or image transferring operation) of a printing unit of the electro-photographic image forming apparatus. When theprinting apparatus 300 is an ink-jet image forming apparatus, the control signal of theprinting control apparatus 100 is a signal to control a printing operation or a maintenance operation of an inkjet printing unit of the electro-photographic image forming apparatus. - As described above, the
controller 120 obtains the environmental information through theweb server 200 in real time whenever receiving the printing signal, and adjusts the transfer voltage control signal according to the environmental information. The transfer voltage is a factor supplied to or used in the printing unit of theprinting apparatus 300 to form an image on a printing medium. - Also, the
controller 120 may connect with thepre-set web server 200 and obtain the environmental information at the time that the power of theprinting control apparatus 100 is turned on. In this case, thecontroller 120 obtains time environmental information on the corresponding date and stores it to thestorage unit 140. After that, if the printing signal is received, thecontroller 120 checks time information through an operating system (OS), then reads out the environmental information corresponding to the checked time, and adjusts the transfer voltage control signal according to the read environmental information. Also, the controller may connect with thepre-set web server 200 and obtain the environmental information at the time that the printer driver initializes its operation, or periodically (for example, per 2 hours). That is, thecontroller 120 connects with the web server and obtains the environmental information in at least one of cases where the printing signal is received, where the booting is performed, where the printer driver is executed, and where the pre-set time arrives. - The
controller 120 controls theinterface 160 to allow the printing data converted by theconversion unit 150 to be transmitted to theprinting apparatus 300 along with the transfer voltage control signal. - If the
printing apparatus 300 receives the transfer voltage control signal and the printing data from theprinting control apparatus 100, it adjusts a transfer voltage according to the transfer voltage control signal and prints the printing data. Accordingly, theprinting apparatus 300 can flexibly adjust the transfer voltage according to the environmental information without requiring an extra sensor. -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a printing operation of a printing control apparatus of a printing system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referring toFIGS. 1 through 4 , if theprinting control apparatus 100 receives a printing signal about data at operation S410, theprinting control apparatus 100 connects with thepre-set web server 200 and requests environmental information at operation S420. - Next, if the
printing control apparatus 100 receives the environmental information through theweb server 200 at operation S430, theprinting control apparatus 100 compares the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information at operation S440. - Next, the
printing control apparatus 100 transmits a printing control signal based on the result of comparison to theprinting apparatus 300 at operation S450. The printing control signal may be a transfer voltage control signal to control a transfer voltage of theprinting apparatus 300. Theprinting apparatus 300 controls the transfer voltage according to the transfer voltage control signal transmitted from theprinting control apparatus 100, thereby improving the printing quality. -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a printing operation of a printing control apparatus of a printing system. Referring toFIGS. 1 through 5 , if theprinting control apparatus 100 receives a printing signal about data at operation S510, theprinting control apparatus 100 connects with theweb server 200, provides area information and requests environmental information at operation S520. The web server address and the area information are previously set and stored by a manufacturer or user. - Next, the
printing control apparatus 100 receives the environmental information corresponding to the area information from the web server at operation S530. - After that, the
printing control apparatus 100 compares the received environmental information with pre-set environmental information at operation S540. For example, if the received environmental information is about temperature, the received environmental information is compared with pre-set temperature information. - The
printing control apparatus 100 determines if the received environmental information is within an error range of the pre-set environmental information. If the received environmental information is within an error range of the pre-set environmental information at operation S550 (Y), theprinting control apparatus 100 transmits a pre-set transfer voltage control signal to theprinting apparatus 300 at operation S560. If the received environmental information is within the error range of the pre-set environmental information, it does not significantly affect the printing quality and thus the pre-set transfer voltage control signal is transmitted to theprinting apparatus 300. - Next, if the received environmental information is not within the error range of the pre-set environmental information at operation S550 (N), the
printing control apparatus 100 determines if the received environmental information is less than a minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range at operation S570. If the received environmental information is less than a minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range at operation S570 (Y), theprinting control apparatus 100 increases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300 at operation S580. In this case, the environmental information may be temperature, pressure or altitude which is a parameter that affect the printing quality when it changes. For example, if the pre-set environmental information is 30° C., if the error range is ±5° C., and if the received temperature information is 20° C., theprinting control apparatus 100 determines that the received environmental information is less than the minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range. In this case, the low temperature causes a developer not to be transferred onto the printing paper properly and thus it is necessary to increase a transfer voltage to be applied to a transferring unit. Accordingly, theprinting control apparatus 100 increases a level of the transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300. - On the other hand, if the received environmental information is larger than the maximum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range at operation S570 (N), the
printing control apparatus 100 decreases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300 at operation S590. For example, if the received temperature information is 40° C., it is determined to be larger than the maximum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range. Therefore, theprinting control apparatus 100 decreases a level of the transfer voltage control signal about the transfer voltage to be applied to the transferring unit and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300. The above description is merely about one example, and the pre-set temperature information and the error range can be varied according to environmental characteristics of the area where theprinting apparatus 300 is located. Also, although the temperature information is used in the above by way of example, the same operation will be applied in the case of pressure and altitude. - If the environmental information is about humidity, the operations S580 and S590 are changed. That is, if the received environmental information is less than the minimum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range at operation S570 (Y), the
printing control apparatus 100 decreases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300. If the received environmental information is larger than the maximum value of the pre-set environmental information within the error range at operation S570 (N), theprinting control apparatus 100 increases a level of the pre-set transfer voltage control signal and transmits it to theprinting apparatus 300. - The present general inventive concept can also be embodied as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium can include a computer-readable recording medium and a computer-readable transmission medium. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data as a program which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. The computer-readable transmission medium can transmit carrier waves or signals (e.g., wired or wireless data transmission through the Internet). Also, functional programs, codes, and code segments to accomplish the present general inventive concept can be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the present general inventive concept pertains.
- According to the above-described method, the
printing control apparatus 100 more easily obtains the environmental information of theprinting apparatus 300, and flexibly controls the transfer voltage according to the environmental information. - As described above, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the transfer voltage control signal of the
printing apparatus 300 is adjusted according to the environmental information of the area where theprinting apparatus 300 is located, so that the effect of the environment on the printing quality can be minimized and thus the printing quality can be improved. - Also, since the environmental information is obtainable by connecting with the
pre-set web server 200, there is no need for an extra sensor, and thus, a low price printing apparatus can be realized. - Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (17)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020070061746A KR101366853B1 (en) | 2007-06-22 | 2007-06-22 | Printing control apparatus for controlling printing operation, printing control system and methods thereof |
KR2007-61746 | 2007-06-22 | ||
KR10-2007-0061746 | 2007-06-22 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080316527A1 true US20080316527A1 (en) | 2008-12-25 |
US8184320B2 US8184320B2 (en) | 2012-05-22 |
Family
ID=40136152
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/046,510 Active 2031-03-23 US8184320B2 (en) | 2007-06-22 | 2008-03-12 | Printing control apparatus to control printing operation, printing control system, and methods thereof |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8184320B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101366853B1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130070299A1 (en) * | 2011-09-21 | 2013-03-21 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Maintenance device and maintenance method |
WO2017171832A1 (en) * | 2016-04-01 | 2017-10-05 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Printer servicing |
WO2019066232A1 (en) * | 2017-09-29 | 2019-04-04 | Hp Printing Korea Co., Ltd. | Method of managing image forming apparatus by using external server and image forming apparatus using the method |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4284362A (en) * | 1979-07-30 | 1981-08-18 | International Business Machines Corp. | Printer control logic |
US20020004802A1 (en) * | 1997-03-25 | 2002-01-10 | Toshihiro Shima | Computer peripheral device and a processing system having a hypertext interpretation section and control method therefor image information input-output unit, image information input-output unit control method, and image information processing system |
US20030206547A1 (en) * | 2002-05-03 | 2003-11-06 | Samsung Electronics Co., Inc. | Integrated circuit device with multiple communication modes and operating method thereof |
US20040042806A1 (en) * | 2001-11-28 | 2004-03-04 | Dougherty Patrick S. | Method and apparatus for modifying a printing process in response to environmental conditions received via network |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3588381B2 (en) * | 1995-02-16 | 2004-11-10 | 株式会社東芝 | Image forming apparatus and method of controlling image forming apparatus |
JP2002304459A (en) | 2001-04-03 | 2002-10-18 | Nec Corp | Method of printing service |
JP2005004462A (en) | 2003-06-11 | 2005-01-06 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Printer system, printer driver and recording medium |
KR100727960B1 (en) | 2005-07-29 | 2007-06-14 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Apparatus and method for managing secure file |
-
2007
- 2007-06-22 KR KR1020070061746A patent/KR101366853B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
2008
- 2008-03-12 US US12/046,510 patent/US8184320B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4284362A (en) * | 1979-07-30 | 1981-08-18 | International Business Machines Corp. | Printer control logic |
US20020004802A1 (en) * | 1997-03-25 | 2002-01-10 | Toshihiro Shima | Computer peripheral device and a processing system having a hypertext interpretation section and control method therefor image information input-output unit, image information input-output unit control method, and image information processing system |
US20040042806A1 (en) * | 2001-11-28 | 2004-03-04 | Dougherty Patrick S. | Method and apparatus for modifying a printing process in response to environmental conditions received via network |
US20030206547A1 (en) * | 2002-05-03 | 2003-11-06 | Samsung Electronics Co., Inc. | Integrated circuit device with multiple communication modes and operating method thereof |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130070299A1 (en) * | 2011-09-21 | 2013-03-21 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Maintenance device and maintenance method |
US9185250B2 (en) * | 2011-09-21 | 2015-11-10 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Maintenance device for use with an image forming apparatus |
WO2017171832A1 (en) * | 2016-04-01 | 2017-10-05 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Printer servicing |
US10303405B2 (en) | 2016-04-01 | 2019-05-28 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Printer servicing |
WO2019066232A1 (en) * | 2017-09-29 | 2019-04-04 | Hp Printing Korea Co., Ltd. | Method of managing image forming apparatus by using external server and image forming apparatus using the method |
CN111149085A (en) * | 2017-09-29 | 2020-05-12 | 惠普发展公司,有限责任合伙企业 | Method of managing image forming apparatus by using external server and image forming apparatus using the same |
US10979591B2 (en) | 2017-09-29 | 2021-04-13 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Method of managing image forming apparatus by using external server and image forming apparatus using the method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR101366853B1 (en) | 2014-02-21 |
US8184320B2 (en) | 2012-05-22 |
KR20080112820A (en) | 2008-12-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP3598791B2 (en) | Network system, printer | |
US6046820A (en) | Image forming device and computer which share the generation of a function for correcting image data based on an image forming condition of the image forming device | |
US8045206B2 (en) | Setting information transmission/reception system | |
US9377972B2 (en) | Host device, management server, and method of solving error of image forming appartus | |
US6519049B1 (en) | Print data transfer system, method of transferring print data, and computer program product to effect the method | |
US7876459B2 (en) | Printing apparatus, print processing system and print processing method for processing print files having different file formats | |
US20090296133A1 (en) | Network system, image processing apparatus, image data storing method, and computer readable medium recording image data transmitting program | |
US9001354B2 (en) | Image forming device that automatically retransmits request data to network server | |
EP3361715A1 (en) | Information processing method and information processing apparatus | |
US20100123926A1 (en) | Image forming apparatus and control method thereof | |
WO2021117277A1 (en) | Support program, information processing device, and printing method | |
US8184320B2 (en) | Printing control apparatus to control printing operation, printing control system, and methods thereof | |
US8699082B2 (en) | Apparatus to control printing density in image forming device and method thereof | |
US20050190393A1 (en) | Programmable controller system and method for supporting various operational modes in peripheral devices | |
US20070124512A1 (en) | Method of setting print port and user terminal device using the same | |
US20090208235A1 (en) | Terminal device, image forming apparatus, and printing system having the same, and printing method thereof | |
US8111437B2 (en) | Image processing device, image processing method, and program for performing direct printing which considers color matching processing based on a profile describing the input color characteristics of an image device and the output color characteristics of an image output device | |
US9531918B2 (en) | Scan calibration method that eliminates the color inaccuracy of printed color charts used on scan calibrations | |
US20070058999A1 (en) | Image forming device | |
JP2015103206A (en) | Image forming system, image processor, image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and program | |
US20080151295A1 (en) | Method of setting up port of network printing device automatically and network printing device thereof | |
CN101631180B (en) | Data processing apparatus and method for controlling data processing apparatus | |
WO2005059822A2 (en) | Method, apparatus and system for image data correction | |
WO2016006308A1 (en) | Information processing apparatus, image processing apparatus, and method for using storage service | |
JP2009014997A (en) | Image forming apparatus, image forming method and program |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LEE, DON-SEON;REEL/FRAME:020635/0773 Effective date: 20080108 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: S-PRINTING SOLUTION CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD;REEL/FRAME:041852/0125 Effective date: 20161104 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HP PRINTING KOREA CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:S-PRINTING SOLUTION CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:047370/0405 Effective date: 20180316 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HP PRINTING KOREA CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE DOCUMENTATION EVIDENCING THE CHANGE OF NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 047370 FRAME 0405. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:S-PRINTING SOLUTION CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:047769/0001 Effective date: 20180316 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HP PRINTING KOREA CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: CHANGE OF LEGAL ENTITY EFFECTIVE AUG. 31, 2018;ASSIGNOR:HP PRINTING KOREA CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:050938/0139 Effective date: 20190611 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P., TEXAS Free format text: CONFIRMATORY ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2018;ASSIGNOR:HP PRINTING KOREA CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:050747/0080 Effective date: 20190826 |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |